Edna L. Huber
Abstract: Japan is a major economic power in the world today. Its rise has been steady and sharp since the post-World War II period. One aspect of Japanese life, however, has not paralleled this tremendous growth and development – sex equality in employment. This inequality to the detriment of women exists despite the 1947 Japanese Constitution’s explicit rejection of discrimination based on sex. This article examines the ways in which women and men are treated differently in employment; the factors that contribute to sex inequality; and the responses of the government, unions, and women. The author finds that the system, although hard to understand for Americans, generally works for Japan. Most Japanese accept, and are proud of, the cultural past and its applications in today’s economic success; most Japanese citizens benefit from the system. During the past decades, there has been a trend towards greater sex equality in employment. Hopefully, this trend will continue, providing women with options.
Keywords: discrimination, workplace, employment, Japan, Japanese, women, feminism, feminist, constitution, norms, behaviors, culture, Asia
